Difference between revisions of "Limescale"
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Limescale is... and causes... | Limescale is... and causes... | ||
| − | + | =Cause== | |
| − | + | =Prevention== | |
| − | + | ==Ion Exchange Water Softener=== | |
| − | + | ==Phosphate Dosing=== | |
| − | + | ==Regular use of lime scale removing acidic cleaner=== | |
| + | ==Stainless steel wool ball in kettle=== | ||
| − | + | =Removal== | |
* acids | * acids | ||
* scrapers and abrasives | * scrapers and abrasives | ||
* very heavy encrustations are removed with a needle drill | * very heavy encrustations are removed with a needle drill | ||
| − | + | ==Chemicals=== | |
| − | + | *'''Hydrochloric acid''' | |
| − | + | * Strongest of all limescale removers | |
| − | + | * Fizzes on contact with limescale | |
| − | + | * Handle with care | |
| − | + | * Avoid all contact with metals, grouts, mortar, concrete, cement based blocks, lime based paints | |
| − | + | * Slowly dissolves eyeballs & other human parts | |
| + | * Wash off skin promptly | ||
| + | * Darkens crazed patterning on ceramics | ||
| + | *'''Sulphuric acid''' Scrap sulphuric acid may be used for limescale removal. | ||
| − | + | *'''Sulphamic acid''' | |
| + | |||
| + | *'''Phosphoric acid''' found in some commercial limescale removing cleaners | ||
| + | |||
| + | *'''Vinegar''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | *'''Citric acid''' | ||
| + | *Mildest of all | ||
| + | *A common food ingredient | ||
| + | *Very slow acting | ||
| + | *Requires heat to be effective | ||
| + | *Suitable for washing machines, aluminium, and unknown or mixed materials. | ||
| + | |||
| + | =Safety== | ||
* Never allow acids to come into contact with bleach. People have died from doing this. ...dont wait around to see what went wrong, evacuate the area immediately. It only takes a few breaths of chlorine to kill. | * Never allow acids to come into contact with bleach. People have died from doing this. ...dont wait around to see what went wrong, evacuate the area immediately. It only takes a few breaths of chlorine to kill. | ||
| + | |||
* Stronger acids eat clothes, cememnt and lime based products, metal, eyes and other parts of humans. Use with care. | * Stronger acids eat clothes, cememnt and lime based products, metal, eyes and other parts of humans. Use with care. | ||
| + | |||
* All acids react with copper to create toxic runoff. Wash away residues to avoid any contact with food or food preparation equipment. | * All acids react with copper to create toxic runoff. Wash away residues to avoid any contact with food or food preparation equipment. | ||
| − | + | =Goods== | |
| − | |||
| − | + | ==Baths, plastic=== | |
| + | any of the acids listed will work, but the stronger ones damage chromework if contact is allowed. | ||
| + | ==Baths, enamel & cast iron=== | ||
| − | == | + | ==Shower curtains=== |
| − | + | *Any of the acids listed will work | |
| + | *Limescale on curtains retains water and encourages mould | ||
| − | |||
| − | ===Washing machine=== | + | ==Tiles=== |
| + | All acids damage tile grout, apply with care. | ||
| + | Plastic scrapers are effective for mild scale | ||
| + | Copper scrapers are effective for heavier scale. However copper scrapers break up tile grout. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Kettle=== | ||
| + | Add citric acid, boil, let sit until cold, rinse clean. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Washing machine=== | ||
Add citric acid, dont put any clothes in. Set to a 95 degree C or boil wash. When the water reacheds boiling, switch the machine off and leave overnight. Switch on in the morting and let it complete its wash program. | Add citric acid, dont put any clothes in. Set to a 95 degree C or boil wash. When the water reacheds boiling, switch the machine off and leave overnight. Switch on in the morting and let it complete its wash program. | ||
| − | + | ==Taps=== | |
plastic scourer | plastic scourer | ||
| + | |||
| + | =Suppliers== | ||
| + | '''Hydrochloric acid''' brick acid, some types of patio cleaner. Builders merchants, online BMs. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Sulphamic acid''' Fernox DS3, builders merchants, plumber's merchants | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Citric acid''' chemists. Supermarkets also stock citric acid products at inflated prices. | ||
[[Cateogry:Cleaning]] | [[Cateogry:Cleaning]] | ||
Revision as of 19:59, 20 December 2006
Limescale is... and causes...
Cause=
Prevention=
Ion Exchange Water Softener=
Phosphate Dosing=
Regular use of lime scale removing acidic cleaner=
Stainless steel wool ball in kettle=
Removal=
- acids
- scrapers and abrasives
- very heavy encrustations are removed with a needle drill
Chemicals=
- Hydrochloric acid
- Strongest of all limescale removers
- Fizzes on contact with limescale
- Handle with care
- Avoid all contact with metals, grouts, mortar, concrete, cement based blocks, lime based paints
- Slowly dissolves eyeballs & other human parts
- Wash off skin promptly
- Darkens crazed patterning on ceramics
- Sulphuric acid Scrap sulphuric acid may be used for limescale removal.
- Sulphamic acid
- Phosphoric acid found in some commercial limescale removing cleaners
- Vinegar
- Citric acid
- Mildest of all
- A common food ingredient
- Very slow acting
- Requires heat to be effective
- Suitable for washing machines, aluminium, and unknown or mixed materials.
Safety=
- Never allow acids to come into contact with bleach. People have died from doing this. ...dont wait around to see what went wrong, evacuate the area immediately. It only takes a few breaths of chlorine to kill.
- Stronger acids eat clothes, cememnt and lime based products, metal, eyes and other parts of humans. Use with care.
- All acids react with copper to create toxic runoff. Wash away residues to avoid any contact with food or food preparation equipment.
Goods=
Baths, plastic=
any of the acids listed will work, but the stronger ones damage chromework if contact is allowed.
Baths, enamel & cast iron=
Shower curtains=
- Any of the acids listed will work
- Limescale on curtains retains water and encourages mould
Tiles=
All acids damage tile grout, apply with care. Plastic scrapers are effective for mild scale Copper scrapers are effective for heavier scale. However copper scrapers break up tile grout.
Kettle=
Add citric acid, boil, let sit until cold, rinse clean.
Washing machine=
Add citric acid, dont put any clothes in. Set to a 95 degree C or boil wash. When the water reacheds boiling, switch the machine off and leave overnight. Switch on in the morting and let it complete its wash program.
Taps=
plastic scourer
Suppliers=
Hydrochloric acid brick acid, some types of patio cleaner. Builders merchants, online BMs.
Sulphamic acid Fernox DS3, builders merchants, plumber's merchants
Citric acid chemists. Supermarkets also stock citric acid products at inflated prices.